SPIEF 2026 spotlights young entrepreneurs reshaping global innovation and tech

The 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will run from June 3 to 6, 2026. The event has served as a major global stage for economic discussions since its launch in 1997. This year, it highlights the growing influence of young entrepreneurs in technology and business. During SPIEF, Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of Sberbank’s Executive Board, addressed attendees on June 20, 2026. His speech underscored the role of youth in innovation, a trend reflected in Sber’s own initiatives. Over the past four years, the bank’s School and Student Accelerators have supported more than 4,000 startups across Russia.

More than 200,000 young participants have passed through these programmes. Among them is Danil Makatrov, who at 18 developed YouChip, a sports tech ecosystem, after joining Sber’s School Accelerator at 16. Another success story is Maxim Natchuk, 23, who secured an investor through Sber’s business mission and is now setting up production of industrial MR/AR glasses in New Delhi.

The trend extends globally. The average age of a tech startup founder has fallen to 24, with AI ventures leading the way. Alexander Wang, for instance, founded Scale AI at 19, and the company is now worth $30 billion. SPIEF 2026 brings together leaders and innovators to discuss economic and technological progress. Sber’s programmes continue to foster young talent, helping them turn ideas into successful businesses. The forum itself remains a key platform for shaping future economic strategies.